Pavement cutting machine with tractor-trailer assembly

ABSTRACT

A pavement cutting machine with tractor-trailer assembly for cutting bumps or grooves. A tractor has a hitch with a cutter trailer and a tank trailer. The tank picks up the sludge from the cutter, filters it and recirculates the filtered water to the cutter. One or more hydraulic cylinders for the cutter or cutters act against a frame member which supports the tank whereby the weight of the tank snubs the cutter or cutters. The tractor has an alternative low speed drive from its engine.

[United States Patent 191 Hatcher et al.

[ Oct. 16, 1973 [54] PAVEMENT CUTTING MACHINE WITH 3,598,446 8/1971Hatchet 299/39 TRACTOR-TRAILER ASSEMBLY [76] Inventors: Cecil W.Hatcher, West Covina; primary Examiner Emest Purser Gene Warner,Whitter, both of w 1 Beatty Calif.

[22] Filed: Aug. 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 278,079 ABSTRACT RelatedApplication Data A pavement cutting machine with tractor-trailer as-Division of March 1971, sembly for cutting bumps or grooves. A tractorhas a 3,703,316- hitch with a cutter trailer and a tank trailer. Thetank picks up the sludge from the cutter, filters it and recir- [52] US.Cl. 299/39, 280/411 l t th filt d water t h tt o or more [51] Ir t. Cl.EOlc 23/09 hydraulic Cylinders f the Cutter or cutters act against [58]Field of Search 299/24, 25, 39, 40, a frame member which Supports thetank whereby the 299/41, 37 weight of the tank snubs the cutter orcutters. The

tractor has an alternative low speed drive from its en- [56] ReferencesCited i UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,694,033 9/1972 Rowley et a] 299/39 6Claims, 29 Drawing Figures 13,4 [34 m +3 1M 14 1M f2 ----o\ 2% 244 L47215611-172 L I h i 16 J l 164'; I 2 I i 1 L L 1 ee r [I 3 Iii I]. 242 24\L y 1 g 5 52 a 1 12 +3 Patented Oct. 16, 1973 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 1, W? lI Patented Oct. 16, 1973 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sn my S g mwww QR c w m Hm RQQ mm mm Patented Oct. 1 6, 1973 12 Sheets-Sheet :5

.08 mm QQ QQ 31 Q.

v8 mm mm hm Patented Oct. 16, 1973 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 16,1973 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q NM Q Patented Oct. 16, 1973 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 MN i mm Kn Q m QQE Patented Oct. 16, 1973 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Oct.16, 1973 12 Sheets-Sheet u Mil- 12 Patented Oct. 16, 1973 12Sheets-Sheet J Patented Oct. 16, 1973 12 Sheets-Sheet 1O PAVEMENTCUTTING MACHINE WITH TRACTOR-TRAILER ASSEMBLY CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION This application is a division of an application entitledPavement Cutting Machine, Ser. No. 119,476, filed Mar. 1, 1971 by CecilW. I-Iatcher et al., and now US. Pat. No. 3,703,316.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The inventionrelates to a pavement leveling or grooving machine having a vehiclehaving a pavement cutter wherein a tractor pulls the cutter vehicle anda water tanker recirculating water to cool the cutter disks.

2. Description of the Prior Art As is well known in the art, there arevarious machines used for grooving or leveling road surfaces. However,each of the known devices have limitations, and problems associated withthem. One problem is the transporting of the machines from one operationsite to another and, after reaching the site, being able to operateunder ideal conditions to properly complete the work required. Anotherarea where the present machines are lacking is the capabilities ofkeeping the required depth of the grooves as the cutter assembly, orassemblies, make their pass over a road bed having an uneven surface. Itis also necessary to have a machine that is not only capable of groovingthe road surface but, in addition, serving a dual purpose as a levelingapparatus.

A series of diamond blades or disks are generally used for the levelingand grinding of the grooves, these blades being very expensive and, ifnot properly protected from overheating, each can be damaged and becomeineffective during its working operation. It is, therefore, necessary tosupply a cooling system that will operate as long as needed while theblades are in operation. The cooling system is generally a liberalsupply of water sprayed along the cutting edge of each blade as itrotates during a cutting or grinding operation. Apparatus is provided tocontinuously supply water to the cutting area during the completecutting cycle having an extreme length of highway surface to be worked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises a dual tandem apparatusfor leveling or grooving roads and highway surfaces, whereby cars andthe like will be substantially protected from skidding, especially inwet weather. The dual tandem apparatus comprises a tractor having a cabsection for transporting the entire machine down the highway to a worklocation, a first trailer section positioned intermediate to the tractorand a second trailer section. The first trailer section is operablyconnected to the tractor as a pavement leveling and grooving machine,and the second and end trailer is a tanker for supplying a liquidcoolant, such as water, to the grooving and leveling apparatus. Thetractor section is adapted with the equipment and controlling apparatusto operate the movement of the entire vehicle while traveling down thehighway to a work location by use of a direct drive to its rear-wheeldrive at moderately high speeds with its total complement of trailers.If the Diesel engine in the tractor were to operate at low gear anddrive the equipment at a slow speed, the engines powerful direct drivewould damage parts related to the grooving apparatus, if the parts metan obstruction. Hence, a hydraulic drive from the Diesel engine isprovided to operate the entire system of the tandem trailer unit whenthe engine clutch is operated to disconnect the transmission from thetraction wheels and engage the power take-off, to supply the hydraulicdrive to operate the vehicle and its systems.

The leveling and grooving machine trailer section comprises either oneor two rotary cutter units. If two are used, one of the units issupported in advance of the other, with their cutter shafts overlappingat their inner ends. Each assembly includes a plurality of cuttingdisks, or blades, separated by a certain spacing, depending on the useof the machine as a leveling or grooving device, the same spacing beingpreserved at the inner ends of the two cutter units.

A liquid coolant is supplied for the cutters from the tanker by means ofa pumping system. The water is recirculated from the cutting area in theform of sludge back to the tanker by means of a vacuum apparatus. Saidliquid is sprayed through jet nozzles adjacent the cutting blades andthen is returned by suction nozzles positioned about the cutting units.There is also provided a shroud to cover the lower portion of thegrooving apparatus, which enhances the vacuum operation by reducing thefluid pressure within the tank.

The weight of the tanker is used to effect an opposing force to thelifting efforts of the hydraulic cylinders attached to the U-shapedframe. The cylinders for the floating beams having a bearing supportconnected with the frame for adjusting the position of the floatingbeams with respect to the U-shaped frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring more particularly to theaccompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of the invention showing a tractorpulling a cutter trailer and a water tank trailer.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a filter unit as seen inFIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematical cross-sectional view of the tank trailer and thevacuum system.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of the grooving trailer with portionsbroken away for clearer illustration thereof.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of FIG. 7 on line 8-8 thereof.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 10--l0 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line l111 ofFIG. 9 thereof.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line l2-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 13-43 of FIG. 12showing the cutter blades cutting grooves in a road surface.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken substantially on line l414 ofFIG. 11.

FIG. is a sectional view taken substantially on line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the grooving trailerpositioned adjacent a curbing of a road surface.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 17-17 of FIG. 11thereof.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating the depth control wheel assembly foradjusting the depth of cut of the blades of the cutting assembly forcutting grooves.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a supporting bracket of awater nozzle spray unit.

FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of the grooving trailer assembly.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view illustrating the cutting assembliessupported in a somewhat universal mounting and positioned for cutting anirregular road surface.

FIG. 22 is a partial top plan view of the cutting assemblies with theirinner ends adjacent each other.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of a modified form of depth control for thecutting assembly adapted for cutting bumps.

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram of the hydraulic system for controlling theover-all operation of the leveling or grooving machine.

FIG. 25 is a schematic view of the transmission and power take-off shownin FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 2626 of FIG.23.

FIGS. 27, 28 and 29 are schematic views of modifications of the frameand floating beam support for the cutter or cutters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly tothe drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a tractor-trailer vehicle,generally indicated at 10, comprising a tractor, indicated generally at12, which is provided with a typical cab 14 and a Diesel or similarengine 16 mounted at the front end of the tractor frame 18. The frame 18is provided with a swivel bed or hitch 20 for an operable connectionbetween the tractor and a tandem trailer. Tractor 12 is movablysupported by a set of front wheels 22 for steering the vehicle 10 and aback set of drive wheels 24 as generally found in such a vehicle.

However, there is included means for disengaging the engine power fromthe rear drive or traction wheels 24 to engage a hydraulic drive systemwhen required. A more detailed description of said means will bedescribed hereinafter.

There is operably connected to the swivel bed or hitch 20 of the tractor12 a first tandem trailer unit 26 and .a second tandem trailer unit 28which is operably connected to said first trailer unit 26 by a swivelbed or hitch 29, supported on the rear of said first trailer unit.

The first trailer unit 26 includes a leveling or grooving machine havinga rotary cutter assembly 45, having a hitch 55 with the frame structure30 which in turn has a hitch 20 with the tractor 12.

The trailer unit 26 comprises a carriage or frame structure 30 having asomewhat Z-shaped configuration which includes a horizontal boxframework 32 having a mating member 33 for the swivel bed 20 and aplatform 34, as seen in FIG. 2. Positioned rearwardly of said platform34 and attached to frame 32 are a pair of parallel vertical beams 36, 36spaced apart sufficiently to receive a transverse support bar 37, asseen in FIGS. 11 and 20. The beams 36, 36' are secured to the box frame32 intermediate their ends. Rearwardly disposed from said beams 36, 36is a second pair of matching beams 38, 38', said beams 36 and 38 beinginterconnected by overhead horizontal girder member 39, and beams 36'and 38 being similarly interconnected by an overhead horizontal girdermember 39. The girders 39, 39' have suitable transverse supports shownas I-beams 41 and 43, see FIGS. 2 and 7, welded at their ends into thegirders 39, 39'. Attached to the lower portion of the rear verticalbeams 38, 38 is a set of parallel frame members 40, 40a (FIGS. 8 and 20)having a platform to support the second swivel bed or hitch member 29(FIG. 1). To carry the rear portion of the frame structure 30, there isprovided a set of tandem wheels 42 positioned directly under the swivelbed member 29 whereby the front end of the second trailer 28 is operablyconnected thereto. The trailer 28 has rear wheels 165.

Referring more particularly now to FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 11, in which a moredetailed construction of the frame structure 30 is shown, there isprovided a rotary cutter assembly, generally indicated at 45, operablymounted within the frame structure 30 of the carriage, said cutterassembly 45 comprising an independent drive engine 46 for operating apair of rotary cutter units, indicated generally at 48 and 50,respectively. There is also provided means for supporting one of saidcutting units in advance of the other, with the inner ends of saidcutter units in substantial alignment. The supporting means comprises aU-shaped frame structure 52, as seen in FIGS. 8, 11 and 20, hingedlyconnected, as indicated at 53, at its forward open end to a header 54,said header 54 having a hitch 55 which includes an upper ball member 55asecured to the header 54 and a cooperating lower mating socket member55b horizontally projecting from and secured to the transverse supportbar 37. Oppositely and rearwardly disposed from the header 54 isthe-bight portion 57 of the U-shaped frame 52, said bight 57 being arear transverse member having mounted thereon a slide 56 in the form ofa cylindrical pin which is rotatably received in and guided for verticaland pivotal movement by vertical spaced angle irons providing slot means58 carried by bracket 40 depending from frame members 40, 40 a, see FIG.20. The slot means 58 prevents lateral movement of said frame 52 withrespect to the frame structure 30, while permitting rocking movementabout a horizontal axis.

The beams 36, 36', see FIG. 20, have an angle bracket 49 49',respectively, extending over the header 54 at opposite sides of itslongitudinal axis to limit pivotal movement of. header 54 about thataxis, particularly when acted on by hydraulic cylinders 96 and 97,described later.

Due to the ball and socket hitch 55 at one end of the frame 52 and theslide 56 rotatably received in slot 58, the frame and cutter assembly 45together are capable of being angularly adjustable about a horizontalaxis a--a, seen in FIG. 11, said hitch and said slide permitting saidcutter units to be readily adapted to an inclined surface, whenrequired.

An independent'engine 46 is used to impart the rotary movement necessaryto operate the cutter units 48 and 50, said engine being mounted to thefloating U- shaped frame 52 adjacent the bight portion 57 of the U bytransverse channel members 59 secured at their ends to the side members60, 60' of the frame 52. The power output shaft 61 of the engine 46 isprovided with a plurality of pulleys 62 operably connected to pulleys 63by belt 64, said pulleys 63 being securely disposed adjacent one end ofa transverse shaft 65 which is rotatably supported in bearings 66.Disposed on the outer free ends of the shaft 65 are a plurality ofadditional pulleys 67 and 68, respectively. Said pulleys 67 and 68 areoperably interconnected to cutter units 48 and 50 by drive belts 69 and70, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7, belts 69 loop over the upperpulleys 67 to a set of lower pulleys 71 which are attached to a rotaryshaft 72 of the cutter unit 48 adjacent one side of the frame 52. Asshown in FIG. 8, the upper pulleys 68 are oppositely disposed frompulleys 67 on shaft 65 and interconnected to a lower set of pulleys 73secured to a rotary shaft 74 of the cutter unit 50.

As mentioned above, the cutter units 48 and 50 are so arranged that oneassembly is positioned forwardly of the other cutter assembly with theendmost disks 78a, 78a of their inner ends 75 and 76 spaced apart thesame distance as the spacing between adjacent disks (FIG. 22). Eachcutter unit 48 and 50 comprises a plurality of evenly spaced-apartcutter disks 78, 78' having identical diameters and secured on theshafts 72 and 74 for rotation therewith. The disks are generallyprovided with diamond bits for cutting hard materials, such as cementand concrete.

In FIGS. 15, 20, 21 and 22, the shafts 72 and 74 are shown journaled attheir outer ends by universal bearings 79 and 80, respectively, saidbearings being supported within dual pillow blocks 82 and 83 along therearward section of the side members 60, 60 of the frame 52. However,the inner ends 75 and 76 of cutter units 48 and 50, respectively, havetheir shafts 72 and 74 journaled in bearings 84 and 85, respectively,supported within dual blocks 86 and 87, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 20, a pair of parallel floating beams 88 and 90are provided along the inner longitudinal length of the frame 52 forsupporting the inner ends of each cutter unit. Each floating beam 88 and90 is independently hinged to the header 54 by brackets 92 and bolts 93,acting as hinge pins, at the forward end thereof. As shown in FIGS. 8,11 and 20, the opposite or rear free end of each beam 88 and 90 ismovably received within the U-shaped brackets 94 and 95, respectively.Said brackets are secured to the rear bight portion 57 of the framemember 52. It should be particularly noted that each beam is capable ofbeing actuated individually with respect to each other, as well as withrespect to the floating frame 52.

As shown in FIG. 20, the inner support block 86 for the inner end ofshaft 72 is mounted on beam 90, whereas the block 87 for the inner endof shaft 74 is carried by beam 88, with the inner ends of those shaftsin overlapping relation as also shown in FIG. 22. This constructionmakes it possible to preserve between the endmost disk 78a of the cutterassembly 48 and the adjacent endmost disk 78a of the cutter assembly 50,at the inner ends of those cutters, for groove cutting purposes, aspacing which is substantially the same as the spacing between theadjacent disks on each cutter assembly, as indicated at 180 whichrepresents the uniform spacing of kerfs or grooves in the pavementresulting from the cutting action of the innermost disks of bothassemblies. For bump cutting purposes, the

6 inner ends of the cutters may overlap as shown in FIG. 29.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 20, the frame 52 and the rotary cuttingassembly 45 are lifted or lowered by means of a pair of hydrauliccylinders 96 and 97 which are hingedly connected at their lower ends 98and 98 to the rear end of frame 52, and their upper ends 99 and 99' arehingedly connected to the underside of a transverse-extending beam 100which is secured to the rear vertical beams 38, 38 of the framestructure 30. The bight or rear end 57 of frame 52 with the cutterassemblies 48 and pivots about a horizontal axis passing through thehinge 53 and the hinge pins 93 of the beams 88 and 90. Since the tanktrailer 28 is loaded with a dead weight of a large quantity of water,the frame structure 30 and the upper ends of cylinders 96 and 97 areheld down from any vertical movement thereof when the cylinders 96 and97 are activated, when the cutter assemblies 48 and 50 are in workingengagement with the pavement. The force of the cylinders 96, 97 buttagainst the over-all weight of the tank which becomes an effectiveopposing force against the lifting effort of the cylinders 96 and 97.Not only can the frame 52 be adjusted vertically, but it can also betilted at an angle through the longitudinal axis aa (FIG. 11) byadjusting the hydraulic cylinders 96, 97.

There is hingedly connected at the free or rear ends of beams 88, 90hydraulic cylinders 101 and 102, respectively, for operating the rearend of each floating beam in different or similar verticaldisplacements. The hydraulic cylinders 101 and 102 are hingedlysupported above the adjacent floating beams 88 and 90, respectively, byupside-down L-shaped brackets 103 and 103a which are fixedly secured tothe rear 57 of the floating frame 52.

FIG. 21 shows an example of how the inner ends of the cutter units 48and 50 can be positioned at a greater elevation than their outer ends tofit a convex road surface. The inner ends can also be adjusted lowerthan the outer ends to fit a concave road surface. Therefore, byadjusting the floating beams 88 and 90, the inner ends of said cuttersmay be raised or lowered with respect to their outer ends tosubstantially fit either a convexity or a concavity, as indicated at Ain the pavement 104.

When it is desired to move to a different location and travel atcomparatively high speed with the cutter assemblies 48 and 50 inelevated position, the cylinders 96 and 97 are operated to raise therear end 57 of frame 52, and in so doing, the outer ends of the cutterassemblies are raised, their inner ends and the floating beams 88 and 90being raised by reason of the brackets 94, 95, see FIG. 10. The brackets94, 95 are carried by the frame member 57 andunderhang the beams 88 and90 to lift them when the rear end 57 of the frame is lifted. Brackets94, and 95 are open at their tops to per- 'mit the upward movement ofthe beams 88 and 90 under working conditons, the brackets 94 and 95 thenbeing in a lowered position free from supporting relation with the beams88 and which are then floated. The operator can adjust the pressure onthe cylinders 101 and 102 to adjust the beams 88 and 90 and the innerends of the cutter assemblies so as to suit working conditions andobtain a uniform depth of groove with resulting maximum length of lifeof the cutter disks.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, 14 and 15, the rotary cutter assembly 45 isprovided with a continuous flow of liquid coolant 106 which consists,generally, of water supplied from cell 162a of tank 44 of the endtrailer 28. This water coolant is pumped by a pumping means 108 which islocated at the front end of the tank 44 and is provided with a pair offlexible conduits, or hoses, 110 and 111 interconnected to separatespray nozzle means, indicated generally at 112 and 112. In FIG. therecan be seen the hoses 110 and 111 attached to the lower portion of sidemember 60 of the frame 52 and oppositely arranged in like manner, eachof which is operably connected to individual spray nozzle means 112 and112'. The nozzle means 112 and 112 are identical and both comprise atubular conduit or manifold 114 having a plurality of spray nozzles 116,see FIG. 19, spaced along the side of the conduit facing the cuttingedge of the blades 78, 78' as they contact the pavement during cuttingand grinding thereof, thereby spraying water for coating the blades ordisks of the cutting units 48 and 50, respectively. As better seen inFIG. 14, a nozzle spray means for each cutter or grinder unit isattached at the free closed ends by brackets 118 and at the oppositeends by an adjustable bracket assembly, generally indicated at 120. Thebracket assembly 120 is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 19, in whichthere is shown a spacer bar 121, which is secured to the inner lowerportion of the side member 60 of the frame 52 by bolt 122. Also securedby bolt 122 is an adjustable arm 124 having one end provided with a slot125 and the other end provided with a bearing 126. Said bearing 126 isadapted to receive a communicating neck member 127 of the conduit 114,which when mounted in said bearing is operably coupled to the hoses 110and 111, not shown, whereby water from tank 44 can be pumped to thecutting blades.

In order to supply a continuous, uninterrupted flow of water to theblades 78, 78, there is provided a vacuum system, generally indicated at130 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. This system is used to return the water, alongwith the sludge material created by the cutting or grinding of thepavement, to the tank 44. The vacuum system comprises a vacuum pump 132mounted to the end tank trailer 28. Thispump is operated by motor 134 bymeans of drive belt 135, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. A vacuum is pulledfrom within the tank 44 through an outlet passage 136 located in thefront upper wall of the tank cell 162a. The vacuum flow is indicated byarrows 137 from the tank 44 through passage 136 into pumps 132 where itis pumped to atmosphere through a manifold 138. As the pressure withinthe tank 44 is reduced by the vacuum system 130, a flow of water andsludge is created between the cutting assembly 45 and tank 44. This flowis accomplished by establishing a vacuum chamber 140 which is defined bya flexible and elastic shroud, indicated generally at 142, having asomewhat rectangular wall or curtain 144 secured to and depending fromframe .52. Said chamber also includes an upper shield partition 145, seeFIG. 14, to seal or close the top of the vacuum chamber 140. The loweredges 149 of the side walls 144 of the vacuum chamber 140 form a sealingcontact with the pavementaround the cutting units and the spray nozzles.Included within the vacuum chamber 140 is a plurality of suction nozzles146 which are operably connected to a rectangular manifold 147 connectedto conduits like 150, 152 and 160 in FIG. 6 which lead to said tank 44for returning the water and sludge to said tank.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 14 and 20, the suction nozzles 146 are attachedand depend downwardly from a rectangular tubular manifold 147. Themanifold 147 is adapted to receive conduits and 152, see FIG. 9, whichlead to an overhead junction manifold 154, see FIGS. 2 and 6, saidmanifold 154 having a single input connection to the tank 44 throughpipe 156, which is received in the upper rear portion of said tank tocomplete the return flow of the coolant and sludge to said tank. Asshown in FIG. 14, a backup group of suction nozzles 158 may be employedto recover leakage about the trailing shroud. This additional group ofnozzles is supported by a tubular frame 159 acting as a manifold, alsoconnected to the manifold 154 by a conduit 160 for return flow throughpipe 156.

The schematic view of FIG. 6 shows the vacuum system with the shroud 142in sealing contact with pavement 104, followed by nozzles 158. Thearrows 161 show the return flow of the coolant through the conduits 150,152 and 160, then into manifold 154, and again arrow 161a showing flowthrough pipe 156 into the rear section of the tank 44 in the area havinga low pressure which is created by the vacuum system 130.

In order to accommodate an uninterrupted flow of water from the endtrailer unit 28, its tank 44 has a plurality of sections, or cells, 162ato 1622 capable of holding large quantities of coolant, such as water106. As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the tank 44 is fixedly secured tothe trailer frame 164 and movably attached at its front end to the rearframe members 40, 40a of the first trailer unit 26 by means of thetrailer hitch or swivel bed 29. Tank 44 and the trailer 28 are supportedat the rear thereof by tandem vehicle wheels 165. A conventionalprotective body or shell 166 is provided to enclose the tank 44 asindicated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Manhole covers 168, located above each cell1620 to 162e, provide access to the cells so that filters 170, which areremovably mounted to each inner cell wall 172, can be replaced orcleaned. see FIG. 6. The filters are supported in frames 174, saidframes being positioned about the edges of openings 176 in the lowercentral parts of partition walls 172, see FIGS. 3 and 5. As can be seenin FIG. 6, the return flowof water and sludge enters the upper rear cell162e of the tank and, as the heavier sludge material settles to thebottom of the first cell, the light and smaller materialwill siftthrough the first filter and then on through to the next celland'filter. Each successive filter is made of smaller mesh material totrap the fine particles as they pass through each successive cell to thelast cell, from which the water is then pumped back to the spraynozzles. It can be seen that the sludge material will settle to thebottom of the tank 44. Therefore, there is provided therein a clean-outopening indicated at 178 in the bottom of each cell or section 162a to162e There is also provided in the upper part of each wall 172 apertures179, see FIGS. 3 and 4, whereby communication between each cell isaccomplished so that a pressure drop is readily facilitated throughoutthe entire inner area of thetank 44.

Referring back to the cutting units 48 and 50, which in the previousdescription were described as being adjustable with relation totransporting and the accommodation thereof to different angularconfigurations of the road beds, there will now be described the cuttingunits with respect to the cutting and grinding modes of operation.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the cutting unit 50 which hasthe blades 78' securely fixed on shaft 74, the similar cutting unit 48having blades 78 fixed on shaft 72. As shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 22, forgroove cutting purposes the blades 78, 78' are evenly spaced apart asuitable distance, generally about three-fourths of an inch on center,as required to cut a kerf of about one-eighth of an inch deep, asindicated at B. For bump cutting purposes the blades like 78, 78' areclosely spaced, as well known.

For groove cutting purposes, each end of each cutter 48 and 50 isprovided with a depth control device. For this purpose, as indicated inFIG. 1 l, cutter unit 48 has at its opposite ends the depth controldevices 184 and 184a; and cutter unit 50 at its opposite ends has thedepth control devices 185, 185a. Each depth control device is carried bya support bracket like 186 welded to the frame 52 for the outer ends ofthe cutters and welded to the floating beams 88 and 90 for the innerends of the cutters.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 26, bracket 186 is in the form of a box channel251 acting as a shelf welded at its end 252 to the member 253 whichrepresents either the floating beam or the frame member. The flat top254 of the shelf 251 has arising therefrom spaced upright flat strips255 and 256, and laterally across them is welded a rear plate 257, andspaced in front thereof is a front plate 258. The plates 257 and 258arise from and are welded at their lower ends to the top 254 of shelf251. The plates 257 and 258 are rectangular and with the adjoining top254 of the shelf 251 form a space which receives the top of either thearm 188 of the depth control device 185 in FIG. 12 or the top of the arm250 of the depth control device 284 in FIG. 23. The plates 257 and 258have aligned holes 259 and 260 to receive the shaft 261 ofa bolt 189having a head 262 behind plate 257 and at its front end having threads263 for a nut 264.

All four of these depth control devices for groove cutting are alike;and one of them, namely 185 at the outer end of cutter 50, is shown inelevation in FIG. 12 wherein the frame member 60 has a bracket 186, thebolt 189 acting as a pivot support for the top of an inverted U-shapedrocker arm 188 having depending arms 188a and 188b. Arm 188a is at thefront of the cutter 50 and terminates in a roller or wheel 190 whichrides on the pavement ahead of the cutter. Arm 188b extends behind thecutter and has a pivotal support at 194 for an adjusting arm 192 whichterminates at its lower end in a roller or wheel support 193 which rideson the pavement behind the cutter. The angular position of arm 192, andhence the depth that the cutter can cut into the pavement, is controlledby operating the adjusting screw 196 mounted in the arm 192 and bearingagainst an abutment 183 on arm 18812.

For bump cutting purposes, a modified form of depth control is providedfor each end of each cutter unit, a typical one being shown at 284 inFIGS. 23 and 26 wherein, after unfastening bolt 189 to remove each ofthe depth control devices like 184, each bracket like 186 is employed tosupport a depth control device like 284 which has a single arm 250 whichdoes not oscillate, but instead is rigidly fixed in the bracket. Forthis purpose, a wedge 264 is inserted between the top 254 of the shelf251 and the underside of arm 250, being removably held in position byscrews like 266 having threaded engagement with the top 254 of the shelf251.

The wedge 265 as shown in FIG. 23 extends on opposite sides of avertical plane through the bolt 189 so that the arm 250 cannot swingeither up or down about the axis of the bolt. The top 267 of the wedge265 may be curved as shown in FIG. 23, or otherwise shaped to conform tothe shape of the undersurface of the arm 250. As shown in FIG. 26, thearm 250 is in the form of a hollow tube rectangular in cross section;and this form is preferred also for the depth control 188 in FIG. 12. Asthe arm 250 in FIGS. 23 and 26 is fixed in position, the nut 264 isscrewed down tight. In FIG. 23, the arm 292, adjusting screw 296, pivot294 and roller or wheel 293 are of the same construction and serve thesame purpose as described for the corresponding elements shown in FIG.12.

It is apparent, therefore, that the bracket 186 may be used for eitherform of depth control shown in FIG. 12 or FIGS. 23 and 26.

The depth control shown in FIG. 12 makes it possible to keep a veryclose tolerance on the depth of the kerf being cut, even when thesurface of the pavement 104 raises or lowers during a cutting pass, suchas shown in FIG. 18. Since the center of the cutting unit isintermediate that of the two rollers 190, 193, any raising or loweringof a roller with respect to the other roller will cause only a slightrise to the cutting area of the blade 78'. That is, if the rollers 193on the rearward side of the blades are thus one inch above the levelpavement, then the cutter axis is raised only one-half the amountbecause of the arms involved. It should be noted, at this time, that theabove description is with respect to the grooving operation of themachine.

When the machine is to be used as a leveling machine to level high spotsor areas on the road beds that have imperfections, as seen in FIG. 23,rollers and the front portion 188a of arm 188 are removed, therebyleaving only the trailing adjustable roller like 293 attached to oneportion of the arm like 250. Prior to the leveling operation, additionalblades are added to the cutter units 48 and 50 so that no space is leftbetween adjacent blades and a smooth surface can thereby be cut byadjusting the height of the cutter blades through the proper setting ofrollers like 293. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 17, there is shown atemperature-responsive means, indicated generally at 197, locatedadjacent the trailing cutting edges of the blades 78, saidtemperature-responsive means checking whether the cutters are beingoverworked due to the speed of travel. A trough member 198 is extendeddownwardly from the frame 52, providing a pickup for some of the sludgekicked off from the cutter blades, said trough having a thermal couple199 connected to a signal light (not shown) which is illuminated as awarming signal if the sludge becomes too hot, thereby allowingcorrective action so that the diamond blades 78 will not be damaged.

There is provided a separated means for laterally adjusting the positionof frame 52 by repositioning hitch 55 and the slot means 58, whichallows the shifting of the outer ends of the cutter units to bepositioned closely adjacent to a curb 105, as seen in FIG. 16. It ispossible to extend the outer cutter blades to within 12 inches of saidcurb. When the frame 52 is needed to be laterally moved, the hydrauliccylinders are also relocated on additional brackets secured to theunderside of the transverse beam 100, as shown in phantom lines in FIG.10. In FIG. 11 the phantom lines show the relocation of hitch 55, alongwith frame 52.

It is undersirable for the Diesel engine 16 in the tractor 12 to operateat low gear and directly drive the equipment at slow speed because itwould damage the blades 78, 78' if they met an obstruction. Hence, ahydraulic drive from the engine 16 is provided, as indicated in the flowdiagram in FIG. 24 and in FIG. 25.

Engine 16 has a conventional clutch 200. Motor 234 is connected to theinput of a four-speed transmission unit T1 by a belt and pulleyarrangement indicated at 207. Transmission unit T2 has a clutch handleI-Il to connect T2 in gear or in idle position out of gear. T1 has afour-speed gear transmission controlled by handle H2. When handle H1 isoperated to make T2 idle, engine 16 drives through the four-speedtransmission T1 to the drive shaft 242 and differential D and the wheels24. This condition prevails when traveling at comparatively high speedfrom one location to another one with the cutters in raised idleposition. At this time fluid pressure retained in the cylinders holdsthe cutters in elevated position, a suitable catch, not shown, beingprovided, if desired.

When it is desired to cut bumps or grooves, the equipment is moved atcomparatively slow speed, the engine 16 at this time driving the pumpsP1, P2 through the five-speed transmission T and belt and pulleyarrangements 206 and 208, the clutch handle H3 being operated todisconnect the transmission T5 from the wheels 24 which are then drivenby the fluid motor 234 through the transmissions T1 and T2. The handles201 and 202 for the power take-off can be operated to either engage ordisengage the drive of pumps P1 and P2 with respect to the engine 16, asindicated by arrows 203 and 204.

The fluid pressure from pump P1 is used to supply pressure to the twohydraulic cylinders 96 and 97, and the two small hydraulic cylinders 101and 102. The pressure fluid line 210 leads from the pump P1 to controlvalves 212 and 213, then through lines 214 and 215 to operate onecylinder 97, and through similar lines 216 and 217 to operate the secondcylinder 96, the lines 214 and 216 being provided with pressure gaugesG1 and G2 and pressure relief valves 218 and 220, respectively. Therelief valves 218 and 220 have lines like 221 connected to an oilreserve tank 222. A return line 223 connects the oil reserve tank 222 tothe pump P1, and line 223' connects tank 222 to pump P2. The smallcylinder 101 is operably connected to pump P1 through fluid lines 210,224 and 225, said line 225 being provided with a pressure gauge G4 and apressure relief valve 226 between the cylinder and the control valve228, said valve 228 receiving fluid pressure from line 210. The cylinder102 is connected to pump P1 through fluid lines 210, 209 and 211. Line209 is provided with a pressure gauge G3 and a relief valve 219 betweenthe cylinder and the control valve 205. Pump P2 supplies pressurethrough line 230 and filter F to line 230a leading to a power-steeringdevice 229 which operates the cylinder 231 operably attached to thefront steering wheels 22 of the tractor 12. Flow lines 232 and 233service the cylinder 231 between the steering device 229 and alsoprovide a reservoir return line 233a from the device 229 to thereservoir 222. Pressure line 230, in addition, via line 230!) suppliespressure to operate fluid motor 234 through a control valve 236. Eachcontrol valve 212, 213, 205, 236 and 228 is connected to the reservetank 222 by return line 235. Lines 237 and 238 supply the pressure fluidfrom said valve 236 to the motor 234.

The pressure relief valves like 218 insure that a suitable value ofpressure is always available to operate the cylinders, the pump P1 beingoperated to supply a pressure in excess of the desired pressure, thesurplus being by-passed. The gauges G1 to G4 are arranged on a suitablepanel 246 adjacent the drivers seat 244 so that he can inspect thepressure being supplied to each cylinder and operate the valves like212, 213, etc., accordingly.

The modifications shown in FIGS. 27 to 29 have a number of features incommon with the form shown in FIG. 20. These common features includeupright frame members in the form of I-bearns like 36' and 36 having acrosspiece like 37 carrying one member of a hitch like 55, the companionhitch member being on a header like 54 having a hinge connection like 53on a transverse horizontal axis with the forward ends of the U-shapedframe like 52, the header also having a hinge connection on the sameaxis with floating beams for supporting the cutters, and hydrauliccylinders being provided for operating the frame and the floating beams.

In the form shown in FIG. 27, two cutters are employed, cutter 300having its outer end 301 carried by a bearing on floating beam 302having a hinge connection 318 with header 354 on the same horizontalaxis as the other hinges in FIG. 27. The inner end 303 of cutter 300 hasa bearing support in a frame member 304 which is fixed at its rear end305 to the U-shaped frame 352, while having a hinge connection 306 withheader 354 on the above-mentioned horizontal axis. Cutter 307 has aninner end 308 having a shaft which overlaps the shaft of the inner end303 of cutter 300. The inner end 308 has a bearing support in a framemember 309 having a rear end 310 fixed to the frame 352 and having afront end having a hinge connection 311 with header 354 on theabove-mentioned horizontal axis. The outer end 312 of cutter 307 has abearing support in a floating beam 313 having a forward end having ahinge connection 314 with header 354 on the horizontal axis. Like FIG.20, FIG. 27 shows upright frame members 336, 336' having a crosspiece337 which carries one member of a hitch 355, the companion member beingcarried by header 354. Frame 352 has a hinge connection 353 between eachof its side members and the header 354. All of the hinge connectionswith header 354 are on the same transverse horizontal axis.

FIG. 27 shows the inner ends of cutters 300 and 307 spaced apart thesame distance as the cutting disks as described in connection with FIG.20, for groove cutting purposes.

The construction of the rear ends of the floating beams in all the formsin FIGS. 27 to 29 is like the construction shown in FIG. 20. Inparticular. in FIG. 27, the cylinder 315 which operates the frame, hereshown as a single cylinder at the center of the frame, is operative toraise the frame and carry with it the rear ends of the floating beams tolift the cutters to idle position.

As in FIG. 20, in all the forms in FIGS. 27 to 29 the weight of theengine which drives the cutters is carried by the frame, being mountedon the side members like 60 and 60' in FIG. 20 whereby the weight of theengine is effective to hold down the outer ends of the cutters tocutting engagement with the pavement. The inner ends of the cutters inFIG. are urged to cutting position by cylinders 101 and 102, whereas inFIG. 27 the outer end of cutter 300 is urged into cutting position by acylinder 316 at the rear of the floating beam 302, the outer end ofcutter 307 being urged to cutting position by a cylinder 317 at the rearof beam 313.

For example, the cylinders 101 and 102 in FIG. 20 may have a throw ofone-and-one-half inches each side of a mean position, the pistons ofthese cylinders having a diameter of two-and-one-half inches. Cylinders96, 97 may have a throw of 16 inches, their pistons having a diameter ofthree inches. When in cutting position,

the weight of the engine holds the outer ends of the cutters in FIG. 20to the work so that the total downward force on the outer ends of thecutters is equal to that weight plus the adjustable force provided bycylinders 96, 97 A somewhat higher pressure is supplied to the cylinders101, 102 to equalize the pressure on the outer ends of the cuttersbecause the downward pressure on the inner ends of the cutters is notinfluenced by the weight of the engine, but is due solely to thepressure exerted by the cylinders 101 and 102.

In FIG. 28, a single cutter 319 is shown; and as indicated, this mayhave a length comparable to the overall length of the two cutters ofFIG. 27. One end 320 of cutter 319 has a bearing carried by floatingbeam 321 having a hinge connection 322 with the header 323, the rear endof beam 321 having a hydraulic cylinder 324 to urge the associated endof the cutter to cutting position. The other end 325 of cutter 319 has abearing support in floating beam 326 having a pivotal connection 327with the header, the rear end of beam 326 having a cylinder 328 forurging the cutter to cutting position. At the center of the U-frame 329is provided a hydraulic cylinder 330 for lifting cutter 319 to idleposition.

In FIG. 29, the U-frame 331 is operated by a hydraulic cylinder 332 atthe rear center of the frame. Two cutters are shown, cutter 333overlapping the inner end of cutter 334 as indicated at 335, for bumpcutting purposes. The opposite ends of cutter 333 are mounted in Ifloating beams 356 and 357. the opposite ends of cutter 334 are mountedin floating beams 358 and 359. Each of the floating beams and each ofthe side members of frame 331 has a hinge connection on axis A-A withthe header 360. Each floating beam has a hydraulic cylinder as indicatedat 361, 362, 363 and 364. The cylinders in FIG. 29 serve the samepurpose as described in connection with FIGS. 20, 27 and 28.

In FIGS. 27 to 29, a universal bearing is provided for each end of eachcutter, similar to the showing in FIG. 21 previously described.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from theforegoing description and it will be apparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof orsacrificing its material advantages, the arrangements hereinbeforedescribed being merely by way of example; and I do not wish to berestricted to the specific forms shown or uses mentioned, except asdefined in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

1. Pavement leveling or grooving machine comprising the combination of atractor having an engine and traction wheels driven by said engine, saidtractor having a trailer hitch with a tank trailer through an extendedoverhead frame member, an engine-driven cutter assembly having a hitchwith said frame member ahead of said tank trailer, hydraulic cylindermeans for raising or lowering said cutter, said tank trailer having atank, said hydraulic cylinder means butting against the weight of saidtank, said tank having a liquid coolant and means for supplying the sameto said cutter.

2. Pavement leveling or grooving machine comprising the combination of atractor having an engine for driving traction wheels with an alternativehydraulic drive operated by said engine for said wheels, said tractorhaving trailers including a first trailer having a retary cutterassembly with an independent engine for operating the same, and a secondtrailer having a liquid coolant tank with means for supplying liquidcoolant to said cutter, means being provided for retrieving the coolantand cuttings from said cutter for delivery to said tank, said tankincluding means for filtering the coolant and cuttings thus retrievedand for delivering the filtered coolant from the tank to said cutter.

3. Machine according to claim 2, said second trailer having an extensionframe having a hitch with said tractor, and said first trailer having ahitch with said frame ahead of said second trailer.

4. A tractor-trailer assembly comprising:

a tractor having an engine and traction wheels driven thereby,

a first trailer having a hitch connection with said tractor, said firsttrailer having an engine-driven pavement cutter mounted thereon, and

a second trailer arranged at the rear of said first trailer, said secondtrailer having a hitch connection with said tractor, said second trailerhaving a tank having a liquid coolant and means for supplying liquidcoolant from said tank to said cutter.

5. A tractor-trailer assembly, as recited in claim 4, wherein means foroperating said tractor-trailer includes means for driving said tractionwheels either (a) at low speed by a hydraulic motor deriving pressurefluid from a pump operated by said engine, or (b) at comparatively highspeed through a gear transmission coupled to said engine.

6. A tractor-trailer assembly, as recited in claim 4, including acarriage frame having a forward end hitched to said tractor and having arear end having front vehicle wheels for said second trailer, and rearvehicle wheels being provided for said second trailer, the front of saidtank being supported by and having a swivel connection with the rear endof said carriage frame.

1. Pavement leveling or grooving machine comprising the combination of atractor having an engine and traction wheels driven by said engine, saidtractor having a trailer hitch with a tank trailer through an extendedoverhead frame member, an engine-driven cutter assembly having a hitchwith said frame member ahead of said tank trailer, hydraulic cylindermeans for raising or lowering said cutter, said tank trailer having atank, said hydraulic cylinder means butting against the weight of saidtank, said tank having a liquid coolant and means for supplying the sameto said cutter.
 2. Pavement leveling or grooving machine comprising thecombination of a tractor having an engine for driving traction wheelswith an alternative hydraulic drive operated by said engine for saidwheels, said tractor having trailers including a first trailer having arotary cutter assembly with an independent engine for operating thesame, and a second trailer having a liquid coolant tank with means forsupplying liquid coolant to said cutter, means being provided forretrieving the coolant and cuttings from said cutter for delivery tosaid tank, said tank including means for filtering the coolant andcuttings thus retrieved and for delivering the filtered coolant from thetank to said cutter.
 3. Machine according to claim 2, said secondtrailer having an extension frame having a hitch with said tractor, andsaid first trailer having a hitch with said frame ahead of said secondtrailer.
 4. A tractor-trailer assembly comprising: a tractor having anengine and traction wheels driven thereby, a first trailer having ahitch connection with said tractor, said first trailer having anengine-driven pavement cutter mounted thereon, and a second trailerarranged at the rear of said first trailer, said second trailer having ahitch connection with said tractor, said second trailer having a tankhaving a liquid coolant and means for supplying liquid coolant from saidtank to said cutter.
 5. A tractor-trailer assembly, as recited in claim4, wherein means for operating said tractor-trailer includes means fordriving said traction wheels either (a) at low speed by a hydraulicmotor deriving pressure fluid from a pump operated by said engine, or(b) at comparatively high speed through a gear transmission cOupled tosaid engine.
 6. A tractor-trailer assembly, as recited in claim 4,including a carriage frame having a forward end hitched to said tractorand having a rear end having front vehicle wheels for said secondtrailer, and rear vehicle wheels being provided for said second trailer,the front of said tank being supported by and having a swivel connectionwith the rear end of said carriage frame.